Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy's rags to riches story is the footballing equivalent to the film Rocky, according to his former teammate Gareth Seddon.
The 35-year-old, who now plays for Salford City, played with the England international at Fleetwood Town and Seddon believes that many non-league footballers will be inspired by his story.
Seddon told the Daily Star: "Vardy is a great guy, his story is straight out of Roy of the Rovers. He's working class and he's become a working-class hero.
"There will be lads of 23-24 who will believe they can still make it and that's all because of Vards. Non-League football needed this story. To go from part-time to be playing for England in three or four years is just unbelievable.
"It's like someone has made it up. It's like a movie. This is a footballing version of Rocky."
The forward also revealed that the players at the Cod Army knew that he was destined for bigger things and that Vardy always wanted to better himself for his family.
Seddon added: "We quickly realised what a good player he was - he just sort of glided across the pitch.
"By the end of the season we all knew he had to move on. Every time he got the ball he would finish it off. He doesn't miss.
"He really wanted to do it, he was brought up without much money. He had a little girl. This was a second chance for him and he was determined to take it."
Vardy has scored in all of his last 10 Premier League games and aims to pass Ruud van Nistelrooy's record tonight against Manchester United.
Nathan Staples
